The Israel Festival

About

The Israel Festival is a leading event on the Israeli culture calendar, standing out for its high-quality artistic performances. The Festival runs over three weeks and is host to dance, theater and music performances by artists from all over the world, as well as local artists, both veteran and new on the scene. The public can also attend a large selection of free performances, including street theater, children's shows and a nightly jazz club.

The following are some of the anticipated highlights of the upcoming 2013 festival.

Tickets can be purchased from Bimot (*6226) and via the Jerusalem Theater (+972-2-560-5755)

Shlomi Shaban, Opening Concert

The Israel Festival's opening concert will feature one of Israel's most interesting contemporary musicians – Shlomi Shaban, who will open the Israel Festival with two festive shows. Known for his virtuosic solo performances, Shaban will be joined by ten of Israel's leading musicians, and host Ninet Tayeb and Asaf Avidan for the first show (May 24) and Berry Sakharof and Ninet Tayeb for the second show (May 25). Together and separately, they will perform Shaban's well-known hits, as well as debut material from his forthcoming album.

When: 24.05.13. and 25.05.13
Where: Both performances will take place in the First Station hangar.

Taraf de Haidouks

The Taraf de Haïdouks is a group of Gypsy “Lautari” (traditional musicians) who come from the quaint Romanian village of Clejani. The ensemble comprises a dozen brilliant instrumentalists and singers, ages ranging roughly from 20 to 80 years of age.  At the Festival they will perform a one-of-a-kind show featuring leading Israeli singer Yardena Arazi, who specializes in Gypsy music, among other Israeli artists. Since their founding in 1991, the group has toured extensively around the world and released dozens of albums.

When: 25.05.13
Where: The New Railroad Station Tessitura, Jerusalem

Emanuel Gat Dance

Emanuel Gat Dance came into existence at the Suzanne Dellal Center in Tel-Aviv on January 2004.  Since 2007, the group has been working out of Southern France. The company has earned international acclaim for its high artistic standards and original voice within the contemporary dance scene .They perform regularly at high profile venues and festivals such as the Lincoln Center festival in New York, Le Festival d’Automne Paris, and many more. The company will premier its newest piece at the 2013 Israel Festival.

When: 25.05.13
Where: The Jerusalem Theatre, Sherover Hall

Yaniv d'Or and Ensemble NAYA

The unique countertenor voice of Yaniv d’Or has confirmed his status as one of the rising stars of the modern international music scene. Fascinated by the musical heritage of Jewish culture, Yaniv d'Or founded the NAYA ensemble with music specialists Nora Roll and Anders Ericson in 2008. Now a group of six, NAYA creates a mesmerizing dialogue between early Western music and musical traditions from across the world. NAYA's unique sound is attracting growing popularity and invitations to perform at international venues.

When: 25.05.13
Where: YMCA Jerusalem

Chucho Valdés

Chucho Valdés is considered one of Cuba's greatest jazz pianists of all times. Valdés is the winner of five Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards. In 1972, he founded the group Irakere, one of Cuba's best-known Latin jazz bands. This will be his first visit to Israel and he will be performing together with his quintet.

When: 27.05.13
Where: The new Railroad Station Tessitura, Jerusalem

Housen

L-E-V Dance Company

Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar

Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar have created a new rendition of their previous piece, House, in cooperation with musician Uri Lichtik, video artist Ran Slavin, and their new dance company, L-E-V. Together, the grounds and building of the Hansen Hospital will be transformed into a stage, installation, and performance, which invite the audience to participate in this emotional and intimate experience.

The Hansen Leper Hospital was built in Jerusalem in the latter part of the 19^th century. Patients were not allowed to leave, and spent their lives in this enclave – their own city behind the walls. The structure, which is located across from the Jerusalem Theatre, is owned by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and is one of 110 Jerusalem structures designated for historic preservation. The municipality and Jerusalem Development Authority are currently renovating and restoring the complex, turning it into a hub for design, media, and technology. The performance will take place on the patio, with the audience standing on the surrounding balconies and seated on stage.

Since 2006, Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar have gained a reputation as unique artists, particularly in the dance world.

The L-E-V dance company is considered the pinnacle of their ongoing cooperation.

Tickets are general admission; seating is not assigned

When: 28.05.13; 29.05.13; 30.05.13; 01.06.13; 04.06.13; 05.06.13; 06.06.13

Where: Hansen Hospital

Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company

Undivided Void

A world premiere by Rami Be'er

The Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (KCDC) is considered one of Israel’s leading dance companies and has earned widespread recognition across the world.  The company performs the original creations of Artistic Director Rami Be’er, who has choreographed more than 50 works for KCDC since taking over the company’s artistic direction in 1996. His pieces include some delightful and highly popular children’s works. The company is regularly invited to festivals and events around the globe in the U.S.A., Canada, South America, Europe and the Far East. The group will premier its newest piece at the 2013 Festival.

When: 29.05.13; 30.05.13
Where: The Jerusalem Theatre, Sherover Hall

Hortus Musicus- Sacred City Jerusalem

Hortus Musicus is an Estonian ensemble that was established in 1972 by Andres Mustonen, a violin student of the Tallinn State Conservatory. Hortus Musicus specializes in performing early music, including 8th–15th century European forms such as; Gregorian Chant, Organum, Medieval Liturgic Hymns and Motets, the Franco-Flemish School, and Renaissance Music. The group also presents early, non-European styles including Indian Ragas, Arabian mughams and Jewish music. The group's repertoire has also included pieces by 20th century composers.

When: 31.05.13
Where: The Jerusalem Theatre, The Henry Crown Auditorium

Dressed to Dance

Picasso and Dali Dance Flamenco

Dressed to Dance is a Spanish dance performance with the feel of a runway show. The performance features over sixty costumes by Spanish designers, which have been adapted for leading Flamenco dancers.

The show features pieces designed by Picasso and Dali, as well as leading designers from the last century, and brings to the fore the interesting relationship between artistic design, fashion, and performing arts, which began in the previous century and continues today.

This performance is more than a costume ball; it tests the limits of traditional Flamenco. The encounter between the dancer, costume, and the Tower of David Museum's impressive courtyard will offer an entirely new interpretation of Spanish dance.

The performance will be accompanied by live music, and feature the Flamenco company headed by Sharon Sagi, a Jerusalem-based Flamenco dancer.

Warm attire is advised. Tickets are general admission; seating is not assigned.

Director: Margaret Y. Jova

Choreographer: Carlos Chamorro

When:  01.06.13

Where: Tower of David Museum

From Edinburgh to Jerusalem

This year the Israel Festival has chosen to host a selection of some of the most successful productions from the 2012 Edinburgh Festival. Together with the British Council, The Israel Festival will host a weekend of Edinburgh productions alongside meetings and workshops with British artists and creators. One of the participating productions is The Animals and Children took to the Streets by the award-winning London based theater company, 1927. Mixing live music, storytelling and performance with animation, 1927 creates a unique theatrical experience unlike anything you will have seen before.

When: 06.06.13-08-06.13
Where: Beit Shmuel, Jerusalem and other halls in the city.

Grand Theatre De Genève

Following amazing performances in New York, London, and Paris, one of Europe's most prominent dance companies will perform its Israeli debut.

Under the artistic directorship of Philippe Cohen, the company recently began focusing on modern dance. It has performed pieces by well-known choreographers including Saburo Teshigawara, Andonis Foniadakis, and, more recently, Israeli choreographer Emanuel Gat.

As part of the Israel Festival, the company will perform two pieces: Glory, set to Handel, and Les Noces, set to Stravinsky.

Glory: A dance performance by the fascinating choreographer Andonis Foniadakis, performed to music by one of the greatest Baroque composers: George Frideric Handel.

The piece is characterized by long, powerful movements performed by breathtaking, virtuosic dancers.

Les Noces: This piece is performed to music composed by Stravinsky for the Russian Ballet, which premiered in Paris on June 13, 1923 – exactly 90 years ago.

Didy Veldman's piece expresses stereotypical gender relations. The composition is full of emotions, and incorporates both lightness and stormy dynamics as it oscillates between temptation and powerful, harsh passion.

When: The Jerusalem Theatre, Sherover Hall
Where: 7.06.13; 08.06.13

Tickets can be purchased from Bimot (*6226) and via the Jerusalem Theater (+972-2-560-5755).

For more information, visit the Bimot website: http://tickets.bimot.co.il/

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